The Golden Knights are one week away from real hockey again, and the final preseason stretch already brought a mix of hope, concern and a little roster movement.
One of the bigger development notes came with Juho Piiparinen, who survived training camp briefly before being picked up by the OHL’s London Knights. The 2026 first-round pick is now headed for a new chance to grow, and for the 18-year-old, that means a season of valuable experience rather than a spot on Vegas’ 23-man roster. The Golden Knights look set on defense for 2026-27, so Piiparinen’s path now runs through the OHL side quest, with his long-term goal still centered on becoming a prominent Golden Knights defenseman.
The more immediate concern from the week came in Thursday’s 5-4 overtime win, a game that had its share of odd twists. The Mammoth grabbed control early before Vegas rallied back behind Tomas Hertl and Jack Eichel.
The shootout that followed was described as pointless, with everyone getting juice boxes for simply participating. But the biggest talking point was Adin Hill’s night in goal.
Hill started and had a rough outing, stopping 17 of 21 shots in what nearly turned into a preseason loss for Vegas. It doesn’t count in the standings, of course, but it wasn’t the kind of performance that calms nerves. The concern now is what it might mean if this carries over into the season.
There was better news on the prospect front, where Trevor Connelly is getting a real look. The 2024 first-round pick put together a strong year with the Henderson Silver Knights last season, finishing with 14 goals and 35 assists.
Now Vegas has handed him a bigger opportunity, slotting him alongside Victor Olofsson and Tomas Hertl. That’s a line with real scoring potential if Connelly earns his way onto the team, and he’ll be one of the names to watch as the Golden Knights work toward finalizing their 23-man roster for 2026-27.
In Other News...
Three Golden Knights Still Have Something To Prove Before Final Cuts
With one preseason game left before the regular season begins, the Golden Knights are down to the part of camp where every shift matters and every roster decision starts to feel final. Vegas is expected to trim the group to 23 players soon, and a few familiar names are still working to make sure they are part of that opening-night picture.
Adin Hill, Alexander Holtz and Rasmus Andersson are the three who stand out here, each carrying a different kind of pressure as the preseason winds down. Their recent play has put them under the microscope, and with final cuts looming, the last exhibition is less about getting through the schedule and more about showing the staff enough to make the call an easy one. [Read more 🡒]
Golden Knights Face One Big Problem In Dylan Larkin Pursuit
Dylan Larkins name is suddenly in play again, and that alone is enough to get attention in Vegas. The former Red Wings captain has asked out in Detroit, and with his list of preferred destinations reportedly widened to include the Golden Knights, the fit is obvious on paper. He brings real scoring punch, plenty of pace and the kind of top-line presence that can change the look of an attack in a hurry.
For the Golden Knights, though, the appeal comes with the familiar catch of life under the salary cap. Any serious pursuit would force them to weigh the price against roster flexibility, and that is where a promising idea gets complicated fast. Vegas would have to decide whether adding Larkin is the kind of move that pushes a contender closer to another run, or the kind that creates a new problem while trying to solve an old one. [Read more 🡒]
Golden Knights Near Final Lineup Test Before Opening Night
The Golden Knights have reached the point in training camp where the experiments start to give way to answers. With one preseason game left before the regular season begins, Vegas is trying to make the most of a shortened runway and settle into the kind of rhythm it will need once the games count for real.
San Jose is expected to provide the closest look yet at what opening night could resemble, with lineups likely near the final version. For a team that wants to find its game quickly, this last exhibition is less about easing in and more about confirming which pieces fit before the schedule turns serious. [Read more 🡒]